1. The Crew and Rapids enter with the same number of wins and points. But Columbus seems on better footing this season. Is that fair? How’s the Crew’s run been so far? What are your early impressions? Who stands out?

Adam Jardy: The Crew is still finding out if it can live up to lofty expectations put forth by the front office. Team president and general manager Mark McCullers has said as recently as last Thursday that he thinks this team has a chance to host the MLS Cup, and technical director Brian Bliss has told me numerous times that there are no plans to upgrade or change the roster for the foreseeable future. What you see is what you get, but the problem with that is the Crew hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations just yet.

Daniel was first introduced to soccer at age 6 while living in Düsseldorf, West Germany. He played youth soccer in West Germany until age 9, and then in Seattle, where he is originally from. He works as the day breaking news editor and also contributes on the Rapids beat.